IHSA Class 4A 2022 semifinalists Barrington (near court) and Benet Academy (far court) will field teams that are very capable of returning to CEFCU Arena in 2023. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBefore the girls' club season begins in earnest, it’s time to peer into the crystal ball and foretell which girls' high school volleyball teams could make a run at the former Redbird Arena in the fall of ‘23.But first, some thoughts to ponder:Will Mother McAuley earn its 17th IHSA championship behind Michigan recruit El...
Presenting the 2022 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Honorable Mention Team
Genoa-Kingston libero Hannah Langton became her school's season and career digs leader this fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we are pleased to announce the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 2022 Girls All-State Volleyball Honorable Mention Team. Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school student-athletes, not on any future potential or current recruitment status. These players excelled on t...
Barrington stops Macs, OPRF at Autumnfest; Naperville is best North at Central
Paige Lauterwasser had 16 kills to lead Naperville North to its second tournament title in two weeks Saturday at Blocktober Fest hosted by Plainfield Central and sponsored by Illprepvb.com. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) At Glenbard EastEmotional power outage?“I think there was a little hangover,” said Barrington junior setter/opposite Jenna Meitzler. “It (Barrington’s semifinal win) was a great high for us.”After beating top-seeded Mother McAuley, 25-20, 10-25, 25-20, in a Gold bracket semifinal, Barrington sputtered at the onset of both sets in ...
McAuley's chemistry produces IHSA title No. 16; Barrington claims third place
Benet freshman Lynney Tarnow slams a kill past Mother McAuley defenders Ellie White (8) and Ellery Rees (9). (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor NORMAL – No. 16?Mother McAuley had the formula.Junior outside hitter Ellie White had 20 kills, 9 digs and a block and the Mighty Macs shook off a long Benet run that forced a third game to claim its record 16th IHSA championship by beating the Redwings, 25-22, 17-25, 25-14, in the IHSA Class 4A championship match Saturday at Redbird Arena. The difference? Chem...
Lauterwasser's to-do list gets shorter after Naperville North stuns Benet Academy
Benet's Kirsten Krammer tries to get around the block of Naperville North's Paige Lauterwasser during the championship match of the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup tournnament Saturday at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe bucket list just got a little shorter.Paige Lauterwasser’s four years on varsity included zero wins against Benet Academy and zero Scholastic Cup tournament championships … until Saturday, that is.Lauterwasser had 12 kills and a block to lead Na...
Saints extend Kull's career with one last trip to Normal; Macs end Joliet West's run
St. Charles East's Kate Goudreau did a little serve receiving in addition to slugging 12 kills to lead the Saints past Loyola Academy at the Hinsdale Central Class 4A Supersectional. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) At Hinsdale CentralJennie Kull has made no secret of the fact that this is the final year of a coaching career that began at Champaign Central in 1986 and includes the last 25 years as head coach at St. Charles East.So, her players weren’t about to let her go out without one final trip to the promised land of Illinois high school volle...
Family atmosphere keeps IPV players at home; close ones now go Fusion’s way
IPV (Illinois Performance Volleyball) 18 HP https://youtu.be/yMIu7B52akg By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIPV (Illinois Performance Volleyball) 18 HP’s Sarah Schmidt can’t imagine playing anywhere else.“I knew a girl in middle school who went there,” said the 5-10 setter from Rosary. “So, I went and really liked it. I stayed because of the small atmosphere. I know all the coaches and all the coaches know me. My current coach has known me since I was a 12-year-old.“It’s a really close community,” she added. “The girls...
That's a wrap for the first AAU boys' tournament with 630, SPVB leading the way
MOD Elite B18 Blue joined Adversity B18 Adidas in the championship bracket of the 18 Open division at last week's AAU Boys National Championship in Orlando. Orlando, Florida – The results from the first AAU Boys National Championships at the Orange County Convention Center this week in Orlando were a mixed bag for the boys from Illinois.But one thing seems certain, the AAU boys’ championships are likely here to stay.“We’re pretty happy with AAUs,” said 630 Volleyball club director Nick Maruyama, whose team walked away with seven medals last...
Kaneland bounces back in a big way, beats Morris in Interstate Eight showdown
Kaneland celebrated its second victory over Morris this season with a large contingent of student supporters Thursday. Morris hopes to get middle hitter Hanna Lauterbach (far left) back in time for the IHSA tournament. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorGone from last year’s 34-4 sectional finalist are Madison Buckley (Ball State) and Meghan O’Sullivan (Grand Valley State).Gone, too, are Bella Rio (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) and libero Mackenzie Ewen (California Polytechnic State University).Mia Kane, a junior setter on last ye...
Joliet Catholic follows Zach Pekol’s lead, stays positive in win over Metea Valley
Bartosz Chmielewski (seen here last year at the Wheaton Classic) had 13 kills, but it was not enough as Metea Valley fell to visiting Joliet Catholic Wednesday. (file photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJoliet Catholic could have folded after squandering four set points in set one and surrendering a 15-8 lead in set two Wednesday at Metea Valley.But …“Our main motto this year is stay positive and enjoy the ride,” said Joliet Catholic’s 6-9 rightside hitter Luke Pekol. “Volleyball is game of runs. Between set...